Bermuda’s women’s football team continue their preparations for potential competitive assignments when they clash with Belize in the first of two international friendly matches on Thursday.

Coach Naquita Robinson flew out with 21 players and new assistant Karl Roberts from Bermuda, with captain Eva Frazzoni, Aaliyah Nolan and Trinae Edwards linking up with the rest of the team in Belize, but is still unsure of the island’s remaining fixtures this year with dates for the Concacaf Nations League still up in the air.

“I’m not sure if we’re playing in the Nations League this year,” Robinson said.

“ heard it was supposed to be taking place in September 2024 and then I heard it was supposed to be September 2025, so I don't know if the women’s competition is every other year.

“All I can say is that whenever it is, we’ll be ready. Once we come back from Belize, we have a little break then we go back right into training.

“It’s always going to be a matter of us staying ready and I’m praying that we’re playing in September this year. Maybe it’s one of those last-minute things and we will get that information soon.”

Marley Christian has been unable to travel with the squad as a result of work commitments and Robinson has been forced into positional changes to make up for her absence.

“Marley’s absence doesn't really put us in a horrible space,” the coach said.

“I selected a team a bit light in her position because you want to try to really strengthen the understanding in that position, but these things happen.

“We've made some positional changes for some players because they’re bringing something different.”

Robinson is also pleased to have Roberts take some of the training strain.

“Karl Roberts just joined us, which is exciting for me because he brings a wealth of knowledge,’’ she said,

“You’ll find it hard to get a person who has the knowledge and passion that he possesses, and the will for us as a country to succeed. Bringing him into this already well-oiled machine, the sky is the limit.”

Before departure for Belize, Robinson declared that they were looking to make full use of the friendly matches.

“We’re definitely looking to win, we’re always looking to win,’’ she said.

“It’s great to get an actual international friendly that bodes well for what we’re doing. We’re getting the opportunity to play against other national teams as opposed to just creating practice matches against colleges or club teams.

“These matches present us with an opportunity to work on the positional and tactical changes we have made with little pressure.

“This tour gives us a chance to look at some players and the under-20s have a tour coming up. We've some under-20 players with us to give them international exposure and hopefully they can get their own international friendly.

“Having these young players as part of this group means they will learn so much on this trip and be able to take it back to their under-20 team.”